Eurofighter Typhoon, Saudi Version

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This is a very detailed model of the Eurofighter Typhoon (EFA), German (Luftwaffe) Version. The model itself is very lightweight, with just 15,400 faces without armament, allowing animation of much more scenery geometry or additional models simultaneously, and increasing render speed.

For a more comprehensive weapon and texture collection, see my EFA collection.

Textures

Color, Specular, and Bump maps are provided. Photoshop templates are provided for easy modification of markings or designation.

History

In the mid 1970s France, Germany and the UK established the European Combat Aircraft programme (ECA). In 1979, following differing requirements (particularly the French requirement for carrier compatibility,) British Aerospace (BAe) and Messerschmitt-Blkow-Blohm proposed the European Combat Fighter (ECF). The development of different national prototypes and continued differences over specification lead to cancellation of the ECF programme in 1981.

As a result the Panavia partners (Germany, Italy and UK) launched the Agile Combat Aircraft (ACA) programme. Following the failure of Germany and Italy to fund development, the UK MoD paid 80 m to BAe, to develop the European Aircraft Programme demonstrator (EAP). In 1983 the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain launched the Future European Fighter Aircraft (F/EFA) programme. The aircraft was to have Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) and Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capabilities.

In 1984 France reiterated its requirement for a carrier capable version and demanded a leading role. The UK, Germany and Italy opted out and established a new EFA programme. The following year France officially withdrew from the project to pursue its own ACX project, what was to become the Dassault Rafale.

Also in 1985 the BAe EAP was rolled out at BAe Warton, by this time also funded by MBB and BAe itself. The EAP first flew in August 1986. The Eurofighter bears a strong resemblance to the EAP. Design work continued over the next five years using data from the EAP. Initial requirements were: UK 250 aircraft, Germany 250, Italy 165, and Spain 100. The share of the production work was divided among the countries in proportion to their projected procurement - British Aerospace (33%), Daimler-Benz (33%), Aeritalia (21%), and Construcciones Aeronuticas SA (CASA) (13%).

1986 also saw the establishment of the Munich based Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH to manage development of the project and EuroJet Turbo GmbH, the alliance of , MTU Aero Engines, FiatAvio (now Avio) and ITP for development of the EJ200.

The maiden flight of the Eurofighter prototype took place on March 27, 1994 (then just known as the Eurofighter EF 2000). Messerschmitt-Blkow-Blohm chief test pilot Peter Weger took the prototype on a test flight around Bavaria. The 1990s saw significant arguments over work share, the specification of the aircraft and even participation in the project.

When the final production contract was signed in 1997, the revised procurement totals were as follows: UK 232, Germany 180, Italy 121, and Spain 87. Production was again allotted according to procurement: British Aerospace (37%), DASA (29%), Aeritalia (19.5%), and CASA (14%).